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Abstract:

In a railway signalling system which transmits a control order to an
on-board signalling system by a trackside signalling system, the on-board
signalling system being mounted on a train running on a line and the
control order being compliant with a signalling system of the line, the
present invention allows the train to run through into lines with
different signalling systems using a single on-board signalling system.
When the train enters a line with a different signalling system from a
current line, the on-board signalling system installs a train control
application program compliant with the signalling system of the entering
line. Then, the on-board signalling system executes the train control
application program, allowing the train to be controlled on the entering
line according to a control order created by the trackside signalling
system of the entering line.

Claims:

1. A railway signalling system which transmits a control order to an
on-board signalling system by a trackside signalling system, the on-board
signalling system being mounted on a train running on a line and the
control order being compliant with a signalling system of the line,
wherein when the train enters a line with a different signalling system
from a current line, the trackside signalling system transmits a train
control application program compliant with the signalling system of the
entering line to the on-board signalling system and makes the on-board
signalling system execute the train control application program, thereby
allowing the train to be controlled on the entering line according to a
control order created by the trackside signalling system of the entering
line.

2. The railway signalling system according to claim 1, wherein the
trackside signalling system transmits an order to the on-board signalling
system in order to change the train control application program executed
at the boundary with the line with the different signalling system.

3. The railway signalling system according to claim 1, wherein the
trackside signalling system transmits an order to start the train control
application program compliant with the signalling system of the entering
line ahead of the boundary with the line with the different signalling
system, to enable control based on the train control application program
compliant with the signalling system of the entering line upon passage
through the boundary while disabling control based on the train control
application program compliant with the signalling system of the exiting
line, and subsequently to terminate the train control application program
compliant with the signalling system of the exiting line to the on-board
signalling system.

4. The railway signalling system according to claim 1, wherein more than
one train control application program are provided per signalling system
to accommodate differences in performance of a computing machine of the
on-board signalling system; and the trackside signalling system selects a
train control application program which satisfies operating conditions of
the computing machine from among the train control application programs,
and transmits the selected train control application program to the
on-board signalling system.

5. The railway signalling system according to claim 1, wherein more than
one train control application program are provided per signalling system
to accommodate differences in configuration of peripheral components
connected to the on-board signalling system via an interface; and the
trackside signalling system selects a train control application program
which satisfies operating conditions of the peripheral components from
among the train control application programs, and transmits the selected
train control application program to the on-board signalling system.

6. An on-board signalling system mounted on a train and adapted to
receive a control order compliant with a signalling system of a line on
which the train runs, from a trackside signalling system, wherein when
the train runs through into a line with a different signalling system
from a current line, a train control application program compliant with a
signalling system of the entering line is installed and executed,
allowing the train to be controlled on the entering line according to a
control order created by the trackside signalling system of the entering
line.

7. The on-board signalling system according to claim 6, wherein the train
control application program executed is changed at a boundary with the
line with the different signalling system.

8. The on-board signalling system according to claim 6, wherein the
on-board signalling system starts the train control application program
compliant with the signalling system of the entering line ahead of the
boundary with the line with the different signalling system, enables
control based on the train control application program compliant with the
signalling system of the entering line upon passage through the boundary
while disabling control based on the train control application program
compliant with the signalling system of the exiting line, and
subsequently terminates the train control application program compliant
with the signalling system of the exiting line.

9. The on-board signalling system according to claim 6, wherein the
on-board signalling system informs a peripheral component connected to
the on-board signalling system via an interface about the type of the
train control application program currently being executed.

10. The on-board signalling system according to claim 6, further
comprising a computing machine; and an interface adapted to interconnect
the peripheral component and the computing machine, wherein for each line
on which the train runs, the computing machine installs and executes the
train control application program compliant with the signalling system of
the line.

11. The on-board signalling system according to claim 6, wherein the
on-board signalling system selects a train control application program
which satisfies operating conditions from among more than one train
control application program provided to accommodate differences in
performance of a computing machine of the on-board signalling system, and
executes the selected train control application program.

12. The on-board signalling system according to claim 6, wherein the
on-board signalling system selects a train control application program
which satisfies operating conditions from among more than one train
control application program provided to accommodate differences in
configuration of peripheral components connected to the on-board
signalling system via an interface, and executes the selected train
control application program.

Description:

[0001] The present application is based on and claims priority of Japanese
patent application No. 2011-160484 filed on Jul. 22, 2011, the entire
contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a railway signalling system and
on-board signalling system which control railway trains and the like.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] In relation to such railway signalling systems, ERTMS/ETCS which is
an integrated train control system intended to enable interoperability
among European countries proposes a system requirements specification as
described in "ERTMS/ETCS System Requirements Specification, Chapter 1
Introduction, 24.02.2006." The system requirements specification
stipulates, "Many different railway signalling systems have been
developed so far, but they are incompatible with one another and do not
allow interoperability. To reduce costs, it is desirable to introduce a
standardized system."

[0006] The conventional railway signalling system is made up of a
dedicated trackside signalling system and a dedicated on-board signalling
system, and a train cannot run unless it carries a dedicated on-board
signalling system compliant with the railway signalling system of the
line on which the train is to run. With such a railway signalling system,
when running through into a line with a different signalling system, it
is necessary to a carry an on-board signalling system compliant with the
signalling system of each line and switch, at a boundary between lines,
to the on-board signalling system used on the next line. This incurs high
costs.

[0007] In contrast, if a common specification such as ERTMS/ETCS described
in "ERTMS/ETCS System Requirements Specification, Chapter 1 Introduction,
24.02.2006" can be established for signalling systems, by simply carrying
an on-board signalling system compliant with the common signalling system
specification, trains can run through into lines which have adopted a
signalling system with the common specification. However, in adopting
such a common specification, it is difficult to adjust requested
specifications among railway operators in charge of individual lines,
complicating the specification in order to meet the requests of the
individual railway operators, and thereby resulting in higher costs than
conventional dedicated on-board signalling systems. Besides, the
trackside signalling system on each line needs to comply with the common
specification, incurring high update costs.

[0008] Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a railway
signalling system which enables running through into lines with different
signalling systems using a single on-board signalling system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] To solve the above problem, a railway signalling system according
to the present invention has adopted the following technical measures.

[0010] Specifically,

[0011] (1) A railway signalling system which transmits a control order to
an on-board signalling system by a trackside signalling system, the
on-board signalling system being mounted on a train running on a line and
the control order being compliant with a signalling system of the line,
wherein when the train enters a line with a different signalling system
from a current line, the trackside signalling system transmits a train
control application program compliant with the signalling system of the
entering line to the on-board signalling system and makes the on-board
signalling system execute the train control application program, thereby
allowing the train to be controlled on the entering line according to a
control order created by the trackside signalling system of the entering
line.

[0012] (2) In the railway signalling system, the trackside signalling
system transmits an order to the on-board signalling system in order to
change the train control application program executed at the boundary
with the line with the different signalling system.

[0013] (3) In the railway signalling system, the trackside signalling
system transmits an order to start the train control application program
compliant with the signalling system of the entering line ahead of a
boundary with the line with the different signalling system, to enable
control based on the train control application program compliant with the
signalling system of the entering line upon passage through the boundary
while disabling control based on the train control application program
compliant with the signalling system of the exiting line, and
subsequently to terminate the train control application program compliant
with the signalling system of the exiting line to the on-board signalling
system.

[0014] (4) In the railway signalling system, more than one train control
application program are provided per signalling system to accommodate
differences in performance of a computing machine of the on-board
signalling system; and the trackside signalling system selects a train
control application program which satisfies operating conditions of the
computing machine from among the train control application programs, and
transmits the selected train control application program to the on-board
signalling system.

[0015] (5) In the railway signalling system, more than one train control
application program are provided per signalling system to accommodate
differences in configuration of peripheral components connected to the
on-board signalling system via an interface; and the trackside signalling
system selects a train control application program which satisfies
operating conditions of the peripheral components from among the train
control application programs, and transmits the selected train control
application program to the on-board signalling system.

[0016] Also, an on-board signalling system according to the present
invention has adopted the following technical measures.

[0017] (6) An on-board signalling system mounted on a train and adapted to
receive a control order compliant with a signalling system of a line on
which the train runs, from a trackside signalling system, wherein when
the train runs through into a line with a different signalling system
from a current line, a train control application program compliant with a
signalling system of the entering line is installed and executed,
allowing the train to be controlled on the entering line according to a
control order created by the trackside signalling system of the entering
line.

[0018] (7) In the on-board signalling system, the train control
application program executed is changed at a boundary with the line with
the different signalling system.

[0019] (8) In the on-board signalling system, the on-board signalling
system starts the train control application program compliant with the
signalling system of the entering line ahead of the boundary with the
line with the different signalling system, enables control based on the
train control application program compliant with the signalling system of
the entering line upon passage through the boundary while disabling
control based on the train control application program compliant with the
signalling system of the exiting line, and subsequently terminates the
train control application program compliant with the signalling system of
the exiting line.

[0020] (9) In the on-board signalling system, the on-board signalling
system informs a peripheral component connected to the on-board
signalling system via an interface about the type of the train control
application program currently being executed.

[0021] (10) The on-board signalling system further comprises a computing
machine; and an interface adapted to interconnect the peripheral
component and the computing machine, wherein for each line on which the
train runs, the computing machine installs and executes the train control
application program compliant with the signalling system of the line.

[0022] (11) In the on-board signalling system, the on-board signalling
system selects a train control application program which satisfies
operating conditions from among more than one train control application
program provided to accommodate differences in performance of a computing
machine of the on-board signalling system, and executes the selected
train control application program.

[0023] (12) In the on-board signalling system, the on-board signalling
system selects a train control application program which satisfies
operating conditions from among more than one train control application
program provided to accommodate differences in configuration of
peripheral components connected to the on-board signalling system via an
interface, and executes the selected train control application program.

[0024] According to the present invention, when the train enters a line
with a different signalling system from the current line, the on-board
signalling system mounted on the train installs and executes the train
control application program compatible with the signalling system of the
entering line, making it possible to smoothly enter lines with different
signalling systems using the single on-board signalling system without
the need for separate on-board signalling systems compatible with
respective signalling systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025]FIG. 1 is an exemplary configuration diagram of a railway
signalling system according to the present invention;

[0026]FIG. 2 is an exemplary detailed configuration diagram of the
railway signalling system according to the present invention;

[0027]FIG. 3 is an example showing train program switching done when a
train carrying an on-board signalling system according to the present
invention runs through into a line with a different signalling system;
and

[0028]FIG. 4 is an example showing each train mounting different type of
on-board signalling system to selectively start different train control
application program compliant with the same signalling system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with
reference to the drawings.

Embodiments

First Embodiment

[0030] In the present embodiment, description will be given of an example
of a railway signalling system which allows a train to run through into
lines with different signalling systems using a single on-board
signalling system.

[0031]FIG. 1 is an exemplary configuration diagram of a railway
signalling system used in the present embodiment.

[0032] The railway signalling system includes a trackside signalling
system 100, an on-board signalling system 200 mounted on a train 10, and
train control application programs 300 executed by the on-board
signalling system 200. The trackside signalling system 100 and on-board
signalling system 200 are interconnected via a communication network 400
and peripheral components 203.

[0033] To control trains running on a line 1, the trackside signalling
system 100 creates control orders for the on-board signalling system 200
mounted on each train, in compliance with the signalling system used on
the line 1.

[0034] The on-board signalling system 200 executes the train control
application program 300 compatible with the signalling system of the line
1 and controls the train 10 according to the control orders transmitted
from the trackside signalling system 100.

[0035] Next, a concrete configuration example of the railway signalling
system according to the present invention will be described in detail
with reference to FIG. 2.

[0036] In the railway signalling system according to the present
embodiment, the trackside signalling system 100 includes a computing
machine 101 and a communication interface 102 while the on-board
signalling system 200 includes a computing machine 201 and a peripheral
component interface 202. Regarding the train control application programs
300, it is assumed that a train control application program 301 is
compliant with the signalling system of the line 1 while a train control
application program 302 is compliant with a signalling system of a line
2.

[0037] The communication interface 102 of the trackside signalling system
100 is an apparatus adapted to connect the computing machine 101 to the
communication network 400. The computing machine 101 communicates with
the on-board signalling system 200 via the communication interface 102
and communication network 400.

[0038] The communication network 400 may be a public network, private
network, or private communication channel. Also, plural communication
networks or any communication system may be used. For example,
conceivable communication systems include a space wave radio
communication using 802.11, CDMA, or GSM and a near-field radio
communication using a transponder, LUX, or a track circuit.

[0039] Furthermore, the computing machine 101 communicates with wayside
equipment 103 via the communication interface 102 and communication
network 400. Any communication system may be used. Also, the
communication network used may be the same as or different from the one
used for the communication with the on-board signalling systems. The
wayside equipment is involved in operation of the trains on the line. The
wayside equipment includes, for example, a train control system, CTC
(centralized train control system), interlocking system, track circuit,
switch machine, loop coil, and transponder.

[0040] To control the train safely according to the line-specific
signalling system based on driving orders and train location information
or train detection information inputted via the communication interface
102, the computing machine 101 creates control orders concerning moving
authority and limit speed and transmits the control orders to the
peripheral component interface 202 of the on-board signalling system 200
via the communication interface 102 and the communication network 400 and
further via the peripheral components 203 (described later) on the train
10.

[0041] The peripheral components 203 are involved in control of the train.
Examples of the peripheral components 203 include a communications
apparatus and antenna used to communicate with the trackside signalling
system by connecting to the wayside equipment and communication network
400, speed sensors and acceleration sensors adapted to measure speed and
acceleration of the train 10, a display and switches used to exchange
information with the train driver, a braking device adapted to operate
brakes of the train 10, a TMS (Train Management System), and a data
reader/writer. Any communication system may be used. For example,
available communication systems include RS-485, Ethernet (registered
trademark), PCI, MVB, CAN, and DI/DO (digital input/digital output). The
peripheral component interface 202 of the on-board signalling system 200
is adapted to connect the computing machine 201 with the peripheral
components 203.

[0042] From multiple train control application programs compliant with the
respective signalling systems of the lines on which the train runs, the
computing machine 201 installs and executes the train control application
program according to the current signalling system, and creates control
orders directed at the peripheral components to control the train 10,
based on control orders from the trackside signalling system 100, sensor
information from the peripheral components 203, and input information
from the train driver, which are inputted via the peripheral component
interface 202. The created control orders for peripheral components are
transmitted to the respective peripheral components 203 via the
peripheral component interface 202.

[0043] The control orders for peripheral components include not only
orders directly relevant to control of the train 10, but also settings
information for the peripheral components 203 and display information for
the train driver. Examples of the display information for the train
driver include current speed, limit speed, and driver assistance
information as well as information needed to transmit the type and
control mode of the currently executing train control application
program.

[0044] The train control application programs 301 and 302 executed by the
computing machine 201 are intended to create control orders for the
peripheral components in order to control the train 10 according to the
signalling systems of the line 1 and line 2, respectively. Device drivers
used to operate the peripheral components 203 may be preinstalled on the
computing machine 201 and switched at the same timing of switching
between the train control application programs or may be included in the
train control application programs.

[0045] The means of installing the train control application program may
be of any form. For example, an appropriate train control application
program may be installed by being downloaded from a wayside-located
device such as the trackside signalling system 100 via a communication
network or the train control application programs may be prestored on a
recording medium such as a CD, DVD, or USB memory and an appropriate
train control application program may be installed via the peripheral
component interface 202 when program switching becomes necessary. In this
way, if the computing machine 201 is provided with a means of installing
a train control application program compatible with a given line as
required, even if the on-board signalling system is not remodeled, the
train can freely run through into a line on which the train has not been
planned to run, a line whose signalling system has been updated without
prior notice, or a line into which a new signalling system has been
introduced without prior notice.

[0046] Next, with reference to FIG. 3, concrete description will be given
of how the railway signalling system according to the present invention
selects the train control application program when the train runs through
into lines with different signalling systems using a single on-board
signalling system.

[0047] As described above, the trackside signalling system 100 includes
the computing machine 101 and communication interface 102 and creates
control orders for the train running on the line 1. Also, the trackside
signalling system 110 includes the computing machine 111 and a
communication interface 112 and creates control orders for the train
running on the line 2.

[0048] On the other hand, the on-board signalling system 200 is mounted on
the train 10 and equipped with the computing machine 201 and peripheral
component interface 202. While the train 10 is running on the line 1,
using the train control application program 301 installed on the
computing machine 201, the on-board signalling system 200 creates control
orders directed at the peripheral components to control the train 10,
based on the control orders created by the trackside signalling system
100.

[0049] Just before the train 10 runs through into the line 2 from the line
1, the trackside signalling system 100 or wayside equipment 103 informs
the on-board signalling system 200 of line boundary position between line
1 and line 2 and gives an order to change the train control application
program executed at the boundary position.

[0050] At about the same time, the trackside signalling system 100
installs the train control application program 302 compatible with the
signalling system of the line 2 on the computing machine 201 of the
on-board signalling system 200. The train control application program 302
is configured to create control orders directed at the peripheral
components to control the train 10, based on the control orders created
by the trackside signalling system 110 installed on the line 2.

[0051] Once the train control application program 302 is installed, the
computing machine 201 of the on-board signalling system 200 terminates
the train control application program 301 and starts and executes the
train control application program 302 at the boundary between line 1 and
line 2, and subsequently controls the train 10 according to the control
orders created by the trackside signalling system 110.

[0052] If the border of the railway signalling systems is located, for
example, on a track in a station yard near a national border, the train
control application program can be switched while the train 10 remains
stopped at the station.

[0053] However, when the border of signalling systems is located on a
track between stations, since the train 10 could be running at high
speed, the computing machine 201 of the on-board signalling system 200
may start the train control application program 302 before passage
through the line boundary by allowing for the time required to start and
terminate train control application programs, enable control by the train
control application program 302 upon passage through the boundary while
disabling control by the train control application program 301, and
subsequently terminate the train control application program 301. This
makes it possible to enter the line 2 without stopping the train.

[0054] Furthermore, after the train control application program 301 is
terminated, the train control application program 301 may be erased. In
that case, in the computing machine 201, a storage area used so far by
the train control application program 301 is freed. A train control
application program compliant with another signalling system can be
installed anew in the freed storage area. That is, unless the train
control application program compliant with the signalling system of a
given line does not require a storage area in excess of storage capacity
of the computing machine 201, the on-board signalling system 200 can run
the train on an unlimited number of lines with different signalling
systems, by repeating installation and erasure of train control
application programs.

[0055] In this way, the railway signalling system according to the present
invention allows the train to run on lines with different signalling
systems using a single on-board signalling system, making it easy for the
train to run through into other lines.

Second Embodiment

[0056] In the present embodiment, description will be given of an example
of a railway signalling system which, by providing more than one train
control application program per signalling system, allows every train to
run on a given line using a single on-board signalling system even if
different types of on-board signalling systems are mounted on the trains
which run through into the line, for example, even if there are
variations in the performance of the computing machine of on-board
signalling systems or in the type of peripheral component configuration
of trains.

[0057] According to the present embodiment, to accommodate types and
characteristics differing of trains running on a given line, i.e., to
accommodate differences in the performance of the computing machine of
the on-board signalling system and configuration of peripheral components
mounted on the trains, more than one train control application program
are provided, the train control application programs being configured to
create control orders directed at peripheral components to control a
train, based on control orders created by a trackside signalling system.
For example, each train control application program performs processes
such as changing the cycle of processing the control orders received from
the trackside signalling system according to processing speed of the
computing machine mounted on the on-board signalling system of each
train, changing the communication cycle with a communication network
according to communication speed of a connected communications apparatus,
changing display contents including speed according to display size,
changing the method for calculating speed according to the accuracy of
speed sensors, and changing the method for giving a brake command
according to the type of braking device.

[0058] With reference to FIG. 4, description will be given of an
arrangement whereby the railway signalling system according to the
present embodiment provides more than one train control application
program and thereby allows each train to run on lines with different
signalling systems using the on-board signalling system mounted on the
train, even if there are variations in the performance of the computing
machines of the on-board signalling systems and configuration of
peripheral components mounted on the trains which run through into the
line.

[0059] It is assumed that the trackside signalling system 100 includes the
computing machine 101 and communication interface 102 and creates control
orders for the train running on the line 1. Also, it is assumed that the
trackside signalling system 110 includes the computing machine 111 and a
communication interface 112 and creates control orders for the train
running on the line 2.

[0060] It is assumed that the on-board signalling system 200 on the train
10 is equipped with the computing machine 201 and peripheral component
interface 202. Also, it is assumed that by executing the installed train
control application program 301 on the line 1, the computing machine 201
creates control orders directed at the peripheral components to control
the train 10, based on the control orders created by the trackside
signalling system 100.

[0061] On the other hand, it is assumed that the on-board signalling
system 210 on the train 11 is equipped with the computing machine 211 and
peripheral component interface 212. Also, it is assumed that by executing
the installed train control application program 301 on the line 1, the
computing machine 211 creates control orders directed at the peripheral
components to control the train 11, based on the control orders created
by the trackside signalling system 100.

[0062] As described in the first embodiment, when the train 10 runs
through into the line 2 from the line 1, the train control application
program 302 compliant with the signalling system of the line 2 is
installed on the computing machine 201 of the on-board signalling system
200, the computing machine 201 executes the train control application
program 302 when the train enters the line 2. Subsequently the train runs
on the line 2, with the computing machine 201 controlling the peripheral
components 203 according to the control orders created by the trackside
signalling system 110.

[0063] Similarly, when the train 11 runs through into the line 2 from the
line 1, the train control application program compliant with the
signalling system of the line 2 is installed on the computing machine 211
of the on-board signalling system 210 and the computing machine 211
executes the train control application program compliant with the
signalling system of the line when the train enters the line 2.
Subsequently the train runs on the line 2, with the computing machine 211
controlling the peripheral components 213. However, let us assume that
the on-board signalling system 210 with its type and characteristic does
not satisfy operating conditions of the train control application program
302 for the train 10. Such is the case, for example, when the computing
machine 211 is slower in processing speed than the computing machine 201
of the on-board signalling system 200, when a connected communications
apparatus has a low communication speed, when speed sensor has a low
accuracy, or when the display is small.

[0064] Possible methods for determining whether the operating conditions
of the train control application program are satisfied are, for example,
as follows: two tables can be prepared in advance, one describing
operating conditions of respective train control application programs and
the other describing specifications such as performance of computing
machines and configuration of peripheral components on respective
on-board signalling systems, and then a crew member can make a
determination by comparing the two tables before installation; the
on-board signalling system can transmit specification information such as
described above to the trackside signalling system in advance and the
trackside signalling system can select an appropriate train control
application program based on the specification information and transmit
the program to the on-board signalling system; the on-board signalling
system of the train can prestore the types of train control application
program which will satisfy the operating conditions of the computing
machine on board and the on-board signalling system can check the type of
train control application program which will satisfy the operating
conditions, before installation; and the train control application
programs can be provided in advance with a table describing the types of
on-board signalling system which will satisfy the operating conditions
and the on-board signalling system can check the table before
installation.

[0065] If it is found consequently that the on-board signalling system 210
does not satisfy the operating conditions of the train control
application program 302, another train control application program 303
which satisfies the operating conditions is installed on the computing
machine 211 of the on-board signalling system 210. It is assumed that the
train control application program 303 is able to operate with the given
processing speed of the computing machine of the on-board signalling
system 210, communication speed of the connected communications
apparatus, accuracy of the speed sensor, and display size. The means of
installation may be of any form as in the case of the first embodiment.

[0066] Desirably the train control application program 303 is configured
to set, for example, the permissible speed of the train to a low level by
taking into consideration the performance of computing machines and
configuration of peripheral components and control the peripheral
components 213 by allowing for rather long margins of brake reaction
distance and brake stopping distance so as to ensure the same level of
safety as the train control application program 302 without compromising
the safety of the entire line 2.

[0067] Once the train control application program 303 thus configured is
installed, the computing machine 211 of the on-board signalling system
210 executes the train control application program 303 when the train
enters the line 2. Subsequently the train runs on the line 2, with the
computing machine 211 controlling the peripheral components 213 according
to the control orders created by the trackside signalling system 110.

[0068] In this way, by providing more than one train control application
program per signalling system, the railway signalling system according to
the present invention allows every train to run on a given line using a
single on-board signalling system, making it easy for the train to run
through into another line even if various types of on-board signalling
systems are mounted on the trains which run through into the line.

[0069] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the
embodiments described above and may include a wide variety of variations.
For example, the above embodiments have been described in detail to
clearly illustrate the present invention, and it is not strictly
necessary to include all the components described above. Also, the
railway signalling system according to the present invention may be
configured to include all or part of the communication network, wayside
equipment, and peripheral components.

[0070] As described above, according to the present invention, when the
train enters a line with a different signalling system from the current
line, the on-board signalling system mounted on the train installs and
executes the train control application program compatible with the
signalling system of the entering line, around a boundary between the two
lines, making it possible to smoothly run through into lines with
different signalling systems using the single on-board signalling system
without the need for separate on-board signalling systems compatible with
respective signalling systems. Thus, the present invention is expected to
be widely adopted especially to trains which run across national borders.